Displaying 1 - 20 of 33

In Fiji, mindset is changing amid work to prevent violence against women

Thursdays in Black grew out of women’s movements of resilience and resistance to injustice, abuse and violence. In the Pacific region, which has some of the highest recorded rates of violence against women, churches are leading conversations to change attitudes and actions. Domestic violence is prevalent throughout Fiji. According to UN Women’s Global Database on Violence against Women, almost 2 out of 3 women aged 18-64 in Fiji have experienced physical or sexual violence from their intimate partner – almost twice the global average.

Easter at home: celebrations still bring joy thanks to creative delivery

As Christians across the world prepare to celebrate Easter shuttered in their homes, they will still find the joy of the day and feel closer to each other, thanks to creative thinking by church leaders.

From including photos of church members within webcast worship services, to placing written greetings at doorways, Easter celebrations can still safely connect people who want to celebrate the resurrection of their common Lord.

CCIA meets in Brisbane with focus on Pacific regional priorities

Impacts of the climate change and the lingering health and environmental effects of nuclear testing on the countries in the Pacific region are among the issues to be discussed at the meeting of the WCC’s Commission of Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), convened from 19 to 21 February in Brisbane, Australia.

La CIAI se reúne en Brisbane para abordar las prioridades regionales del Pacífico

Las repercusiones del cambio climático y los prolongados efectos en la salud y el medio ambiente de los ensayos nucleares en los países de la región del Pacífico figuran entre los temas principales de la reunión de la Comisión de las Iglesias para Asuntos Internacionales (CIAI), que tiene lugar en Brisbane (Australia) del 19 al 21 de febrero.

The cry of the Papuans in Indonesia

The World Council of Churches (WCC) continues to amplify the voice of the indigenous Papuans in Indonesia, who are oppressed by racism and discrimination.

Concerned about the escalating crisis of violence, racism and discrimination against indigenous Papuans in Indonesia, a side event co-sponsored by the WCC was convened during a fall session of the UN Human Rights Council to discuss patterns that are oppressing and displacing Papuans.

An advocate for family values, called by God

When Kenneth Ben grew up in the sixties and seventies each day started and ended with a prayer. His father, who was a pastor, had a pulpit in the home and his parents built a lifestyle around Christian values. Ben also learned early on the value of an extended family, where grandparents and relatives are included.

Un defensor de los valores familiares llamado por Dios

Cada día de la infancia de Kenneth Ben durante los años sesenta y setenta empezaba y terminaba con una oración. Su padre, que era pastor, tenía un púlpito en la casa. Tanto él como su madre construyeron un estilo de vida en torno a los valores cristianos. Ben también aprendió pronto el valor de la familia extensa, que incluye a los abuelos y otros familiares.

Young theologian calls for revolutionary reform of mission

“Is our notion of discipleship inclusive of those who exist in the marginal spaces of our world?”, asked Adi Mariana Waqa, the keynote speaker of a plenary on the theme of mission from the margins at the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME).

#WCC70: A story of how we meet together

The adoption of consensus decision-making for WCC meetings was proposed in 2002. Dr Jill Tabart of the Uniting Church in Australia was consensus mentor as these new meeting procedures were introduced at the 9th Assembly and beyond.

#WCC70: Una historia sobre cómo nos reunimos

La adopción de la toma de decisiones por consenso en las reuniones del CMI se propuso en 2002. La Dra. Jill Tabart de la Iglesia Unida en Australia fue mentora en consenso cuando se introdujeron estos nuevos procedimientos para las reuniones en la IX Asamblea del CMI y posteriormente.

In Fiji, “time to go beyond the reef”

At a Welcome Service on 13 August for the 2017 Annual Conference at the Centenary Methodist Church in Suva, Fiji, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit offered a sermon that reflected on what it means, spiritually and ecologically, to exist in deep water.

Indigenous spirituality: can it transform injustice into justice?

"We worship in different languages and cultures, yet all one in Christ. This is an immensely enriching experience,” said Dr Jude Long, principal of Nungalinya College, in Darwin, Australia, as she explored spirituality with indigenous people from across the world this week.

¿Puede la espiritualidad indígena transformar la injusticia en justicia?

“Practicamos el culto en diferentes idiomas y desde diferentes culturas, pero todos somos uno en Cristo. Y esa es una experiencia muy enriquecedora”, afirmó esta semana la Dra. Jude Long, directora de la Escuela de Nungalinya, en Darwin, Territorio del Norte (Australia), al hacer un análisis de la espiritualidad junto a poblaciones indígenas de todo el mundo.

Disability, justice and spirituality focus of Australia conference

The “Exclusion and Embrace Conference: Disability, Justice and Spirituality” was held in Melbourne, Australia 20-24 August. The multi-faith conference explored the issues of faith and meaning in the lived experience of disability. Participants discussed ethics, care, inclusion in faith communities, friendship, discrimination, love, justice and liberation. Dr Samuel Kabue, executive secretary of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, gave a presentation entitled “Disability/Theology in curriculum of Theological Institutions.”

Discapacidad, justicia y espiritualidad: temas centrales de una conferencia en Australia

La conferencia “Exclusión y acogida: discapacidad, justicia y espiritualidad” tuvo lugar en Melbourne (Australia) del 20 al 24 de agosto. La conferencia multirreligiosa analizó cuestiones relacionadas con la fe y el sentido de la experiencia de vivir una discapacidad. Los participantes hablaron sobre ética, asistencia, inclusión en comunidades religiosas, amistad, discriminación, amor, justicia y liberación. El Dr. Samuel Kabue, secretario ejecutivo de la Red Ecuménica de Defensa de las Personas Discapacitadas (EDAN) del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI), hizo una presentación titulada “Discapacidad/teología en los programas de estudios de las instituciones teológicas”.

Solidarity overcomes sorrow: Indigenous Peoples gather in Trondheim

Journeying from urban centres and small Pacific islands, mountain ranges and rural towns, more than 170 Indigenous people gathered this week at the mouth of the river that flows from traditional Sami lands. Their conference, “Reconciliation Processes and Indigenous Peoples: Truth, Healing and Transformation,” brought together representatives of more than two dozen Indigenous societies in connection with the WCC Central Committee meetings in Trondheim, Norway.